Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 129.8 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the songbird brain when listening to songs. |
| Authors: |
Van Meir, V.*1
; Boumans, T.1
; De Groof, G.1
; Verhoye, M.1
; Van Audekerke, J.1
; Van der Linden, A.1
1Dept. Biol., Biomed. Sci, Univ. Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium |
| Primary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Sensory Systems |
| Session: |
129. Animal Cognition and Behavior: Learning Systems Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 9, 2003 9:45 AM-9:45 AM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Room 293 |
| Keywords: | fMRI, plasticity, habituation, starling |
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a powerful tool for studying brain function in living intact specimen. Thus far it has only been used in mammals and in the case of laboratory animals its use was even restricted to simple stimulation paradigms due to the required anaesthesia. However fMRI has far more potentials such as repeated observations on neuronal information processing during the performance of simple and cognitive tasks.
This study explores fMRI to study auditory processing in the thalamic and telencephalic auditory regions in the brain of songbirds. They represent a well documented animal model for vocal learning and related functional changes in the involved brain regions, even under anaesthetised conditions.
We exposed anaesthetised male European starlings to various acoustic stimuli with increasing degree of complexity, ranging from white noise to conspecific song. We localised and monitored the auditory brain responses as a function of stimulus exposure time.
Field L showed activation upon each of the applied stimuli, while NCM was exclusively activated after hearing conspecific song (see figure). We did not observe habituation to any of the investigated stimuli upon repeated stimulation within a window of 30 minutes. However, within one single stimulation period of 30 seconds, habituation occurred for all stimuli and in all activated brain regions. We are currently investigating the relationship between auditory responses in the telencephalic auditory regions and nucleus ovoidalis in the thalamus.
It seems that fMRI in songbirds will be able to shed new light on many remaining questions related to neuroplasticticity in brain activity focussing on time windows ranging from seconds to years.
This study explores fMRI to study auditory processing in the thalamic and telencephalic auditory regions in the brain of songbirds. They represent a well documented animal model for vocal learning and related functional changes in the involved brain regions, even under anaesthetised conditions.
We exposed anaesthetised male European starlings to various acoustic stimuli with increasing degree of complexity, ranging from white noise to conspecific song. We localised and monitored the auditory brain responses as a function of stimulus exposure time.
Field L showed activation upon each of the applied stimuli, while NCM was exclusively activated after hearing conspecific song (see figure). We did not observe habituation to any of the investigated stimuli upon repeated stimulation within a window of 30 minutes. However, within one single stimulation period of 30 seconds, habituation occurred for all stimuli and in all activated brain regions. We are currently investigating the relationship between auditory responses in the telencephalic auditory regions and nucleus ovoidalis in the thalamus.
It seems that fMRI in songbirds will be able to shed new light on many remaining questions related to neuroplasticticity in brain activity focussing on time windows ranging from seconds to years.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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